Teething? - Star, ID

Some people report that their kids get a runny nose or low fever with teething, but the other symptoms indicate a cold, flu, or allergies. I can't imagine why teething would cause watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing. However, they're very common cold symptoms. He could be teething at the same time, which would make him a little more miserable. I'd give him Tylenol or Motrin, suck out his nose when possible, and just let him rest and be comforted as much as possible. Good luck!

drooling is a big sign of teething, you can also tell by looking at thier gums, if you see little white spots ontop of them, he is most likely teething.

Teething is painless although they may show a few symptoms. The drooling is the baby often 'fiddling' with the lumps and bumps in the mouth created by the teething. They just, as you and I do with a mouth ulcer, fiddle with it. They dribble, may go off their food for a short while - change in the way the mouth feels etc. Some kids have no symptoms at all. People talk about cutting teeth but the gums move out the way basically. I am sure your memory of erupting adult molars (except for wisdom teeth sometimes) is the tooth fairy. If there is a temp and the symptoms of a cold / flu and you think it could be then there probably is one present (Mum's baby 'radar' is usually pretty good. - see your GP if you're worried about the temp. S..

There is absolutely no scientfic evidence that any of these symptoms are caused by teething. It is the single most prevalen old wives tale that just refuses to die. The truth is that drooling is an absolutely normal developmental thing at this age...it just so happens that teething often starts at the same time. Low grade fevers are the body's way of fighting infection - it has nothing to do with teething. As my doctor likes to say - the only thing that teething produces is teeth (and maybe a little pain/discomfort). The symptoms your baby is having sound like a cold or other little virus. Unless the fever gets high or prolonged, I would give him a little motrin/tylenol and perhaps a humidifier in his room. If you have any concerns at all, talk to your pediatrician. Hang in there!

I have read a million magazines and articles that say fever is not a part of teething, but both of my kids had low grade fevers with teething. It may be a bug your little one got from something he (she?) was chewing on.

We use Hyland's Teething pills. We get them at King Soopers. They have worked wonders - I use them even when my kids are just having a cranky day.

Keep an eye on the symptoms and if they continue, call your doc.

Good luck!

When my kids teethed it could be like cold symptoms too, however the fever should NOT go over 100. Despite what Jana said, I don't need science to tell me what I learned with two teething. They both got runny noses, excess slobber, low grade fever, irratible, not wanting to eat,with all the moms I know those symptoms are all pretty prevelant during teething.

The coughing could be due to the mucus too. I never heard of watery eyes, that sounds like allergies or a cold coming on, I don't know when you can give Benadryl, maybe call your Dr as that will dry up the nose and help reduce the mucus if it is allergies or a cold.

I know that sometimes that a lot of times the excess mucus, slobber can lead to an ear infection too, fluid getting trapped, which sounds like he could be having symptoms of. Most ear infections will clear up by themeselves but they are miserable.
If he isn't better within a few days or fever increases, I would take him in, however try teething tablets for temporary relief, motrin at night and see if that helps.

I agree with the Hyland tablets, Teething tablets were a godsend during the day for us.
I know too if the runny nose is clear fluid that can be due to teething. My son slobbered like crazy for months, he would drench the front of his clothes daily with his teething.
Hugs! If the fever gets worse I would worry, as they say 100.8 isn't that high in babies.
Good luck.

sounds like teething to me... or could be a cold...

does the fever respond to baby motrin or tylenol? if so, that is good... tylenol never did much to help (or so it seems) my daughter with teething pain, baby motrin always seemed to work better. my daughter would often get an ear infection if she was really stuffy from teething or a cold.. if you notice that your son is fussier when laying flat on his back, you might have his ears looked at. also, a warm mist humidifier can help with the coughing and runny nose... that and some saline drops up the nose, keeps things looser and makes it easier to use the bulb syringe/booger sucker thing.. those oragel q-tip things are super great too... very easy to get the gel where you want it, though they are a bit more expensive than the tubes... and teethers or those water filled rings are great for soothing.

good luck.. should be better within 3-4 days, so just be patient.... and wait it out. your son's diet will come back when he is feeling better... just stick to softer foods and his normal milk or formula for now. also, you might want to give him a little watered down pedialyte a couple times a day to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated.

I was JUST at the doctor - like 3 hours ago, for very similar symptoms. My son seems to be constantly teething, but until the doctor was able to pry open his mouth and see that the teeth are RIGHT there, I didn't want to assume, especially with the whole flu thing.

I know that the drooling, fussy, not eating well, and sometimes runny nose can all be teething related. They also can have elevated temps at the same time. It is true that some babies don't seem to be bothered by teething, but I know for a fact that it hurts my son. The doctor did think that the coughing was most likely from the additional drool from teething or possibly a slight cold, and the temp could be teething/cold as well. In other words, it was nothing to worry about.

If I was you, I would also go to the doctor. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

Hi, C.. When my little boy was teething, he never showed symptoms like that. I would call your doctor to see what he or she says. I read somewhere that it's a myth that fever and teething go hand in hand...

When my little guy was teething (he got 4 teeth in at once!) I noticed he was much, much fussier, and his hand was in his mouth a lot. He would also gnaw on the bottle nipple a lot more.

Hope your little one feels better soon.

Take care,
L.

Hi C.,
When my son was 6 months old he had the same symptoms. We had no idea what was going on. Turns out he did have a cold and he was teething at the same time. Double Whammy. If I were you, I would treat both. Tylenol was great! For teething, the orajel is good.. but really you just have to wait it out. The two things we let him chew on to relieve the pain were cold washcloths and those squishy ABC letters (the ones for the bath). As for the cold, use the booger sucker (that's what we call it at our house) every time you hear congestion.
Good luck.
K.

Hi C., all of these things are normal at least they were with my daughter. We used to freeze big chunks of carrots and let her suck and chew on them of course you need to watch him. also you can tie a washcloth in knots and get them wet, freeze them and they can chew on this. I used to make a mild chamomile tea and soak the washcloth in this, then freeze. The chamomile will help relax him as well.
Good luck for teething is a hard one.

hope this helps
B.

Hmmm... I've never heard of watery eyes, sneezing and coughing as associated with teething, but I'm certainly not a child-rearing guru.

If you suspect teething, try Hyland's Teething Tablets. They are great at easing symptoms and crankiness -- completely natural/homeopathic, so can't hurt to try it. If you see improvement, problem solved. Target also sells little mesh teething bags designed to hold a frozen strawberry, banana or whatever frozen fruit. My teething kiddos loved using these.

If you don't see improvement, I would consider your child might have allergies... We are coming into the season where some people have issues, you know?

Good luck!

Hey, the drooling, fever, runny nose, fussy, and no appitite are all symptoms of teething at least for my son. But if your concerned about flu or a cold, I would take him to the doctor. Good luck, hope this helps!

It sounds to me like your little guy is teething. But if his tempture gets higher and lasts for more then a few days, I would call him doctor. But everything you mentioned is everything my son goes through every time he is teething.

Every child is different when teething. The symptoms you have listed are ones that can be associated with teething, but I would keep an eye on the fever. I believe that as long as it stays below 102 and isn't going on for days with no relief, then it is okay.

Two of my children suffered mainly from painful mouths when teething, while the youngest two suffered and still suffer from similar symptoms as your child when teething. My youngest is 7 1/2 months and will most likely be cutting her first tooth soon and she has the low grade fever, barely eating and highly fussy.

I offer a wet cloth to shew on, teething rings, teething tablets, my fingers & infant tylenol if she is running a fever.

Good luck to us both!

Have a GREAT weekend!

S.

Hi C.,
Well some of the symptoms you described are commonly associated to teething. Drooling, runny nose low grade fever... but watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and not eating very well never has happened with my kids. He could be teething on top of a cold or something though, seven months is a common age to get teeth. As far as my experience the doctors like to see kids at least staying hydrated so even if he won't eat solids make sure he drinks and is having regular wet diapers. You can even add a little rice to his bottle or if you nurse and he will take a bottle pump some and add some rice cereal to it. If his fever gets worse (at this point I don't give them meds so I can monitor the fever to see where it is going) I think 1 to 2 degrees more and it lasts a couple to three more days.. I usually take them in if I am still concerned. Many times they just tell me it is a virus and to keep it monitored but sometimes it is an ear infection. Remember you can also call the doctor on call or nurse and explain it to them and they can recommend you waiting or bringing them in. Good luck!
PS Getting a humidifier and putting it in his room when he sleeps and around him as much as possible during the day is always a good idea. Especially when he is showing signs of a cough.

Also, after reading a few other responses I just wanted to add a few things I have learned.
-- giving meds to stop the runny nose I was told by a doctor that what it does was actually cause thickening of the mucus which doesn't allow it to drain and then can more easily cause an ear infection because the thicker mucus does not drain so pro or con of the benedryl (and like the other person said, you have to make sure you can give a 2 month old benedryl, I forget that rule)
--also the suction bulb (aka at our house also snot sucker :) is awesome and when combined with saline drops or simply saline spray helps clear up some congestion. they only advice I was given was to not do it too often because using it too often can irritate the nasal passage and cause swelling and hence making things more congested. Babies hate this process but it really is beneficial. And I guess too much or too little depends on the babies symptoms if they are really congested go ahead and do it and then wait until they get really congested again. Sometimes, depending on the baby, this can be two person job.

Go buy teething swabs. They are usually by the toothpaste, orajel items at any grocery store like walmart or albertsons. They are in a little blue case and look like q-tips. All you do is break the end off, let the medicine run down to the other end and swab your baby's gums. No mess, super easy!

Hi C.,
I don't know much about the teething problem but if your baby has a fever of 100.8 you should be taken him to the doctor asap! Every doctor I have talked to since my 3 month has been born says that once they reach 100.2 it is a major problem. I just thought I would write you and let you know.
V.